Centurion Davies targeting Bale’s Wales cap record

After making a century of appearances for his country during the most recent international break, Ben Davies claims to have Gareth Bale’s Wales cap record in his sights.

When leading his team in their 4-2 World Cup qualifying defeat to Belgium on October 13th, the 32-year-old defender became the fourth male player to surpass 100 caps for Wales, joining him as the fourth after Bale, Wayne Hennessey, and Chris Gunter.

However, he now hopes to surpass former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Bale’s men’s record, which included 111 caps before retiring from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Davies, who was born in Wales, acknowledged that he had always targets in mind.

He said, “The first step was to get a cap, then you start looking up and seeing what’s in front of you.”

“I started to feel a little more established around the 15 to 20 mark, and then I had the 50 one in my sights for a while.”

Your goals advance at a constant rate. You always have that 100 one in line, so I’d assume the next step is to try to reach 112.

The Premier League veteran, who made his Wales debut in 2012, continued, however:

Under Craig Bellamy, Davies has played a crucial role for Wales, and he is the only player to have featured in all 14 of the current national head coaches’ games.

The left-back believes Wales are blessed to have his former team-mate, who was also a member of their international team.

The standards he sets are what make the difference. When you talk about intimidating people in the dressing room, “he was undoubtedly one,” Davis said of Bellamy as a player.

You’d expect him to be on your case, you’d have to work hard, and you’d have to arrive on time, because he would let you know if you weren’t.

Bellamy, who Davies now manages under, is one of the best captains he has ever had.

You knew the heights you had to reach despite the intense and difficult conditions. As a coach, I had no expectations for him, and he has probably lived up to my expectations. He has performed exceptionally well so far.

Davies hasn’t appeared in a single competitive minute for Spurs this season despite his significance on the international stage.

Additionally, he suffered a hamstring injury that forced him off the field against Belgium on the night he earned his 100th Wales cap.

The Swansea City academy graduate, whose contract with the north London side expires in the summer, believes he still has a chance at Spurs.

According to Davies, “It’s a part of football.”

“I’ve been here for 11 years, and this is my first time playing a lot of games,” I said. Thus, the run at such a prestigious club is not bad.

In the world of football, “things change a lot quickly. Every player wants to play games, but it’s not ideal, and it’s not where I want to be.